Swan Hellenic is coming back with expedition ships

LONDON — Historic cruise brand Swan Hellenic is back, with two expedition ships currently under construction.

The timing is right for Swan Hellenic’s return, as many in the industry predict small ship, local itinerary cruising will be one of the first cruise styles to recover in the wake of the pandemic.

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Rendering of one of Swan Hellenic’s new ships

Swan Hellenic’s two ships, now being built in Helsinki Shipyard Oy, Finland, will carry 152 passengers and 120 crew. The first ship will set sail for Antarctica in November 2021, while the second will enter service in April 2022.

“I am proud to announce the rebirth of Swan Hellenic a pioneering iconic travel brand with the mission to be the leader in cultural expedition cruising,” says Swan Hellenic’s CEO Andrea Zito.

Zito says the cruise experience is “aimed at the traveller who wishes to explore, experience and enrich whilst the infinite beauty of the world and its inhabitants in a safe and sustainable way.”

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Sauna onboard a Swan Hellenic ship

Travel agents are a key part of the cruise line’s success going forward, he adds. “Swan Hellenic was always a family brand and we want to continue along the same line by inviting all cruise industry partners to become part of the new Swan Hellenic community.”

Agents can register for more information and updates at www.swanhellenic.com/partners.

The Swan Hellenic brand has been around since the 1950s. In January 2017 All Leisure Holidays in the UK, Swan Hellenic’s then-parent company, collapsed. G Adventures acquired Swan Hellenic at that time but the company is no longer in G Adventures’ portfolio.

Swan Hellenic’s General Manager, John Warner, was most recently Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa for G Adventures from 2007 to 2019. Mario Bounas, VP Marketing, was most recently with Royal Caribbean. Swan Hellenic’s Alfredo Spadon worked at MSC Cruises. And CEO Zito’s years in the industry include a stint with Silversea Cruises. Swan Hellenic’s offices are in Monaco, the UK and Germany.

The cruise line’s website is now live. Says Zito: “Over the course of the next few weeks and months we’ll be releasing more information about a number of exciting developments from Swan Hellenic. We are back and we’re bigger and bolder than ever.”